Category Entertainment News

Former Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has revealed a rather large tattoo covering the lower part of her leg as she posed in a pair of tiny shorts during the recent heatwave

A former Coronation Street star has revealed a large tattoo taking up most of their leg. Actress Beverley Callard, known to millions as The Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald, has been making the most of the scorching temperatures which have swept across the UK in recent days.

Beverley, 68, also gave fans a glimpse at a rather large tattoo which covers the majority of her lower right leg as she posed in a pair of tiny denim shorts in a bid to keep cool as temperatures soared, while standing in her kitchen. The actress completed her look with a loose-fitted white t-shirt and a pair of chunky black sandals.

But it was the rather large tattoo which cascaded down from her kneecap to her foot which caught the attention of fans. The inking featured pink, blue and red flowers which certainly stood out. It comes after David Beckham speaks ‘as a father’ in ‘family’ announcement after latest Brooklyn snub

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The Mongolia-themed floral inking was Beverley’s second tattoo, as she had previously been inked with comedy and tragedy masks, as well as a love heart and music score – a tribute to her husband Jon McEwan, as well as their wedding anniversary – October 30, 2010.

Sharing the clip on social media, it featured Jon returning home from work, leaving Beverley completely speechless. “Oh my God,” she said as she turned around from the kitchen countertop. While his face was covered by muck, Jon was dressed in all black, as he said: “I have had a day.”

Beverley responded: “I don’t believe it,” as she filmed her husband, who was covered head to toe in muck. “Oh, you stink,” she quipped, adding that he smelt of burnt rubber, explaining to her husband that she was filming him for social media. Beverley’s social media post comes after it was revealed she’ll be taking part in Help! My House is Haunted.

The series, created by Discovery+ sees a team of paranormal experts help six famous faces left worried by the paranormal world. Ian Lawman, Barri Ghai and Jayne Harris hope to “uncover the chilling secrets that are lurking in their homes.”

Last year, Beverley shared a clip of her home on social media, with many fans believing that there could have been ghostly activities in her home. The actress shared a video on Instagram, which she believed shows two orbs floating in the room.

She captioned the eerie clip: “HELP!! What the hell is this? My ring camera in the barn alerted us at 1am this morning. What are the two orbs? @jonmmac55 armed with a baseball bat went to investigate!! Nothing there, upon returning checked the camera and they were back. OMG! I’m scared. Any help greatly appreciated.”

Fans were quick to offer their advice, with one suggesting: “Lock it up and never go in there again,” while another observed: “There are 4 orbs, 2 on the left, very active unsettled spirits.” A third suggested: “It’s spiders on their web.” However, Beverley was quick to dismiss the spider theory with a follow-up post.

In a second video, captioned “No spiders web, I’m moving”, she showed her husband Jon McEwan investigating the area to ensure everything was safe. He stated: “Just to clear it up since Beverly wouldn’t come in today. All of you saying cobwebs and spiders, nope nothing. So, no, I think it could be a ghost!”

Another fan advised: “You can’t leave Norfolk, we live here it’s a beautiful place. Send the dogs in next time,” while another joked: “Time to get the investigators in, just in time for Halloween.”

From bold hues to fun prints, we’ve rounded up the best backpacks that bring the perfect blend of fashion and function to the school day, all year round

We’re nearing back to school territory, and if you haven’t begun to think about stocking up on school uniforms and accessories, now is the perfect time. And to save you from any panic buying this year, we’ve compiled a list of our top school backpacks that don’t compromise on style or functionality.

With the cost of living still hitting hard, it can be difficult to purchase new items all the time, so we’ve rounded up some wallet-friendly buys from the likes of Primark and M&S, plus a few pricier finds from LEGO and Monsoon to cater to all tastes and budgets.

From well-loved TV characters to classic children’s toys and more grown-up styles, check out our top school backpack buys to shop before September rolls around.

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You can’t go wrong with Primark’s back to school essentials—they’re cheap, functional, and fun. And if you’ve got any Paw Patrol fans, this £10 cartoon backpack perfectly fits the bill. It features handy zip-fastening compartments, adjustable shoulder straps, and a mesh side pocket to store school essentials such as water bottles.

SHOP THE BAG: Paw Patrol bag, Primark, £10 here

If you’ve got a budding fashionista, you’ll want to pick a backpack that reflects their sense of style, as well as being functional to carry around all day. And this stylish quilted one from Monsoon ticks all the right boxes.

SHOP THE BAG: Navy quilted bag, Monsoon, £28 here

Calling all car and lorry enthusiasts. With its cute road design and even a matching lunchbag, its the perfect purchase for younger kids this year. The bag comes with a roomy inside mesh pocket and a side pocket that’s the perfect size to hold a water bottle. As well as a write-on name tag inside, so there’s no risk of this getting lost or switched with someone else.

SHOP THE BAG: Cars backpack, Character, currently £4.95

Perfect for older kids who may want to avoid cartoon or character-based bags, this pink Adidas backpack is the ideal combination of cool and practical. The backpack also has a handy clip-on compartment on the outside that is great for doubling up as a pencil case.

SHOP THE BAG: Pink adidas backpack, Schuh, £30 here

If you have any LEGO-loving children, this fun backpack is perfect. Shaped like a LEGO brick, it’s spacious enough to fit everything from pencil cases to books and water bottles. It also features 2 LEGO stud-styled pockets, a mesh pouch, reflective elements, and a slip pocket for a laptop in the main compartment. Plus, if your child isn’t a fan of the yellow, it’s available in other sizes, including red and green.

SHOP THE BAG: Yellow backpack, Lego, £44.99 here

Featuring an adorable London-themed Paddington print, this pale blue backpack is made for the unpredictable UK weather. With its water-repellent Stormwear™ finish, this bag will ensure your children’s essentials are safe and dry, even during a spontaneous British downpour.

SHOP THE BAG: Paddington small backpack, M&S, £16 here

Inject some colour and personality into your little one’s back to school wardrobe with this vibrantly printed backpack from Next. Featuring a playful comic book design, plus a handy compartment at the front and extendable straps, this is the kind of bag to last term after term without having to splash out a fortune.

SHOP THE BAG: Boom, stomp, zap backpack. Next, £20 here

Hailing from North Face, this fun block-coloured backpack features handy compartments both inside and out, two water bottle pockets, and a top handle that’s easy to grab and carry all day. Plus, the 360-degree reflective detailing ensures maximum safety and visibility in darker conditions on the way to and back from school.

The hair expert explained why a common mistake could be causing greasy hair

An expert has warned that a simple hairbrush mistake could cause greasy hair. Rachel Valentine, a certified trichologist who shares hair tips on TikTok as @rachelvalentinehair, shared the advice.

In her video, the expert reacted to a video shared by a TikTok user complaining about how greasy her hair looked just one day after washing it. However, Rachel said the common problem might have been caused by a few little-known mistakes.

If you’re suffering from greasy hair, it could be down to your hairbrush or the time of the day you shower, Rachel explained. First, the trichologist explained that washing your hair before you go to sleep could cause the issue – if you don’t dry your hair.

She claimed: “There’s probably a couple of things happening here. The first thing is, if you are going to bed with damp hair, you are gonna wake up with hair greasier than if you blow-dried it, and there are studies to prove this.

“Basically, when you blow dry your hair, the sebum evaporates quicker off your scalp than if you was to let it air dry. Using a heat protector, medium heat, and even if you just blast off your roots and leave the ends, you will get less greasier hair by the morning.”

Rachel added: “The other thing is to make sure you’re washing your hair brushes. We have millions of bacteria live on our scalp, and if you are using a dirty hair brush to brush your clean hair, you’re gonna be transferring all that dirt and grime back onto your clean hair.”

There are more reasons why it’s recommended to dry your hair before going to sleep, whether you prefer to use a hair dryer or let your locks air dry. The common mistake can also contribute to hair breakage, bacterial growth, and scalp breakouts.

Certified trichologist Bridgette Hill told British Vogue: “Wet hair fibres are more fragile and can only sustain so much manipulation. The friction created between wet hair and fabric while sleeping can cause fissures and tears on the hair shaft.”

Hadley King MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, added: “Wet hair tends to be more fragile because water temporarily breaks hydrogen bonds in the protein structure of hair strands. This increases elasticity, which can make the hair more prone to breakage.”

However, you don’t need to panic if you sometimes sleep with wet hair. The experts simply advise against making it a habit. You can also help to protect your hair by using satin or silk pillowcases, which could decrease friction, and styling your hair so that oxygen can flow through the hair to the scalp while you sleep.

Jeremy Clarkson’s A-level results post has returned once again. Despite achieving a C and two U’s in his own examinations, this hasn’t stopped the former Top Gear star. His post dates back 11 years and has become an annual tradition for the broadcaster.

Today, as millions across the nation celebrate their results and getting into university, Doncaster-born Jeremy returned to social media with his famous post. “If your A-level results are disappointing, don’t worry. I got a C and two Us,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter. But he later went on to reveal that he was making a huge change to Diddly Squat Farm – one that not many could have expected.

The 65-year-old went on to add: “Here I am today, installing lights for a helicopter landing pad in my garden.” One fan responded: “Was patiently waiting for this…”

“You boy! What day is this? A glorious annual tradition,” said a second. Meanwhile, a third typed: “Sometimes your genius…. it’s…. it’s almost frightening..” Another follower went on to respond: “Here he is! Ding ding ding ding!” But Cancer Research UK also revealed that some of their top researchers secured a place at a university via the clearing process.

Responding to Jeremy’s tweet, the charity said: “We’re happy for you, Jeremy (not so much your neighbours). Meanwhile, some of our researchers (who went through clearing, btw) are turning their findings into life-saving treatments for people with cancer. Head to our profile to read some of their stories.”

This includes their Chief Laboratory Officer at the Manchester Institute who on results day discovered he had a D and two Es, but now manages a lab looking at the role of viruses that cause cancer.

Last year, Jeremy used the date to boast about his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, in the Cotswolds, which opened in the same month. The year before, he revealed that he was also the proud owner of his own brewery.

But while the Cotswolds now appear to be a theme for him, in 2016, he revealed to fans that he was holidaying on a superyacht in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, other posts in the past have included Jeremy boasting about owning expensive cars, including a Bentley and multiple Range Rovers, having a dedicated chef to prepare truffles for his breakfast, and renting a huge chateau in France for the summer period.

This year, the proportion of A-level entries awarded the highest grades continued to rise, remaining above the grades pre-Coronavirus, figures have revealed. More than a quarter of entries (28.3 per cent) were awarded the top grades, A* and A –, which rose by 0.5 per cent from last year, which saw 27.8 per cent of people awarded those grades.

According to figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, boys outperformed girls for the first time in seven years. The overall pass rate of grades A* to E has risen to 97.5 per cent, up by 0.3 per cent from last year.

The number of students accepted on to UK degree courses has risen to a record high, Ucas figures show. For 18-year-olds in the UK, 255,130 applicants have been accepted on to a university or college course – up 4.7% on last year.

Overall, 82% of UK 18-year-old applicants awaiting a decision on results day secured their first choice – which was the same proportion as last year. In England, 11,909 students received their T-level results in the fourth year that the qualification has been awarded and 91.4% achieved at least a pass.

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Swifties can celebrate the upcoming release of The Life Of A Showgirl with matching jewellery and accessories

Thursday, August 14, has become an exciting day for Taylor Swift’s fans around the world. The singer has unveiled the artwork for her upcoming album, The Life Of A Showgirl, and the titles of her new 12 tracks. The album has caused a huge buzz worldwide after it was first announced on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast show, New Heights.

The album will be released on October 3, and fans can pre-order it on Taylor’s official website while supplies last. There are several versions to choose from, including a Sweat and Vanilla Perfume Portofino Orange Glitter Vinyl for £29.99, as well as a cassette for £16.99 and a CD for £11.99, which comes with a matching poster.

The 35-year-old pop star shared the news on Instagram that there are also four other options to choose from. “Pre-order The Life of a Showgirl: “It’s Beautiful” Limited Release Deluxe CD now on my site. Available for 72 hours while supplies last,” she said early this morning (August 14).

On her official website, fans can browse through four different-coloured The Life Of A Showgirl deluxe CDs that each have their own theme and artwork. They cost £16.99 each and come in their own little package – including a piece of jewellery that matches the cover art.

The first option is The Life of a Showgirl: Sweat and Vanilla Perfume Edition Limited Release Deluxe CD, which is available until August 16, or while supplies last. The package includes:

• 12 tracks.
• Jewel case with collectable front and back cover art.
• 1 disc with collectable disc artwork.
• Collectable 8-page booklet that includes never-before-seen photos and song lyrics.
• 3 double-sided photo cards on high gloss card stock, with a unique envelope. Each card features an exclusive image and lyric selected by Taylor.
• Orange glitter jewellery box with a metallic foil embossed TS logo on top..
• All contained in a high gloss box featuring the front and back cover album artwork.

One standout feature of this package is the fact that it comes with a gold keyring (40 x 91.01mm), which can also double as a bag charm. The accessory has ‘Taylor Swift’ engraved on it, a gold-tone metal TS logo charm, and a violet eye charm made of black, white, and violet cubic zirconia crystals.

The second option is The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Frightening Edition Limited Release Deluxe CD, which includes the same items as the one mentioned above but follows a maroon-coloured theme, rather than the mint green and orange combination. The jewellery available in this package is another gold-tone keyring with ‘Taylor Swift’ engraved on it, a TS logo charm with a red glitter ‘wood’ heart charm, and a gold arrow.

The third option is The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Rapturous Edition Limited Release Deluxe CD, which again comes with all the same items, though the accessory this time is a gold-plated necklace. The piece of jewellery features a Valentine’s envelope locket with an orange CZ crystal heart on the front and the TS logo engraved on the back.

It also includes a gold-plated letter with the song title ‘Actually Romantic’ engraved on the front. The letter fits inside the envelope locket and is attached by a small chain.

The fourth option is The Life of a Showgirl: It’s Beautiful Edition Limited Release Deluxe CD, however, due to popular demand, this package has already sold out. It is not clear if stock will be replenished or not, but the accessory in this package is a silver-tone bracelet with lightning bolt designs, clear CZ crystals, and opalite star charm, and a Taylor Swift charm.

Thomas Skinner has been named as the tenth contestant for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. They are the latest celebrity to be unveiled as part of the line-up for the BBC show this week ahead of the launch next month.

The TV personality and social media star is best known for competing on The Apprentice back in 2019 and for his appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Good Morning Britain and Celebrity MasterChef. Thomas shared the news on his socials this morning before appearing on Hits Radio.

Nine celebrities who will be taking part when the show returns later this year had already been announced since beginning of this week. It comes after reports of all the celebrities rumoured to be joining BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Thomas said in a statement: “I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!

“I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!”

It comes after Thomas was seen partying with US Vice-President JD Vance yesterday during his visit to the UK. The Strictly star called Vance “a proper gent” as they posed for a photo at a BBQ.

Writing on social media, dad-of-three Mr Skinner said: “Here is a pic of Me and Vice President JD Vance towards the end of the night after a few beers. I’m overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don’t risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh.”

The first contestant announced to be joining Strictly was Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, also known as Nitro. The former Olympic athlete, who competed in last year’s Christmas special, was revealed as a contestant during an episode of Newsround on Monday.

Love Island winner Dani Dyer was the second celebrity confirmed for the new series. The reality TV star shared the news on The One Show on Monday night, with her one of three contestants who appeared on the show that evening.

Actor Alex Kingston, known for her roles on shows such as Doctor Who and ER, was unveiled as the third celebrity for the new series. She was the second contestant to be interviewed on The One Show earlier this week.

Retired footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who played for teams such as Leeds United and Chelsea in the Premier League, was later named as this year’s fourth contestant. He was the third and final participant revealed on Monday.

Soap star Balvinder Sopal was then the fifth contestant to be revealed as part of the line-up. The actor, known for her role as Suki Panesar-Unwin on EastEnders, was unveiled as part of the line-up with viewers on ITV’s Good Morning Britain yesterday.

It was later announced that TikTok star George Clarke will be competing on the new series of Strictly too. The content creator was named as a contestant on BBC Radio 1’s Going Home Drivetime Show yesterday.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up La Voix, also known as Christopher Dennis, was unveiled as the seventh celebrity taking part earlier today. The news was revealed on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.

The BBC went on to name former England rugby union player Chris Robshaw as the eighth celebrity for the series. Just like La Voix, he was unveiled as part of the line-up on the Scott Mills Breakfast Show earlier this morning.

Model, actor and influencer Ellie Goldstein, who in 2023 made history as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue, became the ninth contestant to be named. The news was revealed on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday morning.

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